Slug-lock



W. H. HORSMAN.

SLUG LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21.1918- 1,335,966, Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

, 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Inventor IVilliamUY-Ilorsman fill r/7g a? 20m! oqzfforne lfs W. H. HORSMAN.

SLUG LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 27.1913.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- Inventor IVE/Ilium Eliorsman Bar v? f rflzivrne ys UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM HARRISON HORSE/LAN, OF SAN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA. ASSIGNOR OF ONE- FOUR-TH TO CLINTON BANCROFT. OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SLUG-LOCK.

Application filed June 27. 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. \VILMAM llAiunsoN l{)RST-L\N, a citizen of the United States, esiding at the city and county of San Franisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Slug- Locks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a slug operated combination lock.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple substantial keyless combination lock which can be operated only by means of a slug when inserted therein, said lock serving the function of an ordinary lock to the extent that it may be used on safes, doors, lockers, etc, or in any place where a lock is required.

.another object of the invention is to provide a lock of the character described, which may be employed on automobiles for the purpose of locking the ignition switch either in the opened or closed position, and whi h is furthermore capable of displaying 0r sounding a warning; signal if the lock is tampered with or operated by any unauthorized persons.

Another object of the invention is to provide a receptacle within the lock housing, for the reception of a suitable number of slugs, said slugs being stacked within said receptacle one above the other, and all. bei119; different in formation; furthermore to provide means for dischar ing one of said slugs when the lock is locked. and to promeans whereby it will be impossible to open the locl: except by the slug last dis charged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination lock, the combination of which is automatically changed by the last slug discharged: furthermore to provide means for displaying or sounding" a warning signal when a wrong slug:- is in serted and for locking the lock against further operation when the wrong slug is in serted. thus maintaining the warning sig nal in constant operation until the owner arrivesv Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

Serial No. 242,191.

claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a central vertical section showing the locking mechanism in a locked position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the lock in the unlocked position.

Fig. 8 is a cross section on line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. l is a perspective view of the upper carriage.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of theejecting s ide.

Figs. 6, 7, S, 9 and are perspective views o l different forms of slugs employed.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates the main frame of the lock, and 2, a housing inclosing the same, said housingbeing' adapted to be secured to the dashboard of an automobile by screws 3, or by any suitable means. Secured to the main frame A are four chutes, the upper one indicated at -lwill hereinafter be termed the upper chute, the second one shown at 5, the turning chute, the third one shown at 6, the loa ding chute, and the lowermost one shown at 7, the discharge chute. Rigidly mounted on a shaft 8 journaled in the frame is an operating lever, which, in this instance, consists of two arms, 9 and 10, said arms being arranged one on each side of the frame. These arms are rigidly secured on the shaft 8, one end of which passes through the frame and the casing 2 to permit it to be n'ovided with an operating handle 11. Connecting the upper ends of the operating levers 9 and 10 is a cross rod 12, and pivotally mounted on said rod is a carriage such as shown in Fig. 4;. This carriage consists of a pair of side members 13, an end connecting bar 14 and a pair of inwardly projecting lips 15, which are formed integral with the side members 13. The carriage as a whole is not only pivotally mounted on the rod 12, but it is also slidably mounted on a bracket 16, the forward end of which is provided with a shoulder 17 The carriage is mounted directly below the upper chute 4, and any slug inserted through the chute & will drop into the carriage and assume the position shown at 18 in Fig. 1, that is, the forward end of the slug will rest upon the rod '12, while the rear end of the slug will levers 28, due to the fact that the blank portion 55 of the slug shown in 8 would strike the projection lugs 34 on two of the levers 28, and thus rock the same into the inclined position shown in Fig. 1. The other two locking levers are in register or alinenient with the two grooves 56 formed in the slug. and would, therefore, not be rocked as the projecting lugs 3.4 would pass through the grooves. The slug shown in Fig. 8. which we assume was the last slug discharged when the look was locked, therefore, caused the combination to be set, inasmuch as it moved two of the locking levers to the inclined or forward position shown in Fig. 1. If a slug such as shown in Fig. 7 was last ejected then it can be seen that three of the locking levers would be rocked, and that only one of said levers would remain in normal position, while a slug such as shown in Fig. 6. which is a blank slug, would rock all four of the locking levers. Again the slug shown in Fig. 9, which is provided with three grooves, would only rock one of the locking levers. The combination on the lock is. therefore, changed every time a slug is dis-- charged, as each slug differs in formation. that is, to the extent of the number of grooves employed, or due to the position of said grooves, for instance, a. number of comhiuations would be produced where only one groove is employed by forming the groove on one end or the other of the slug. or by forming it in a central position in alinement with one of the central locking levers, that is, it is possible to produce at least four combinations by merely employ ing one groove. It is similarly possible t produce a variety of combinations when a two groove slug is employed. as the chant?- ing of the position of said grooves causes different locking levers to remain in normal position and others to be rocked.

e have already assumed that the last slug ejected was a two groove slug such as shown in Fig. 8. To open the lock again it is necessary to insert this slug. and it must e remembered that no other slug will open the lock. as will hereinafter be described. The two groove slug shown in Fig. 8 when inserted in the upper chute 4 assumes the position shown in Fig. 1. The handle 11 is now grasped, and the operating levers 9 and 10 move to the forward position shown in Fig. 2. This movement causes the carriage to move forwardly, and the ejecting slide to move back. as shown in Fig. 2. The slu g rests on the forward ends of the latches 30, which are carried by the two locking levers that have been moved into the forward position. and as the grooves 56 formed in the slug aline with the latches 30 on the other two levers, which remain in normal position, it can be seen that forward movement of the slug will depress the two latches, which en stage the loekin bar 3 thus raising the h l b bar. The release of the latches with rela tion to the locking bar permits the respective locking levers 28 to return to normal position, as the pressure of the springs 36 engaging the same will immediately swing said levers back to normal vertical position. The depression of the latches 30, which were raised, is caused not only by the blank portion 55 of the slug, but also by the cam member 39, due to the fact that the slug passes under said cam, and also due to the fact that the cam passes over the slug, the movement of the cam over the slug being transmitted from the operating lever 9 by engagement of said lever with the cross bar 10, that is, forward movement of the operating lever 9 transmits a rocking movement to the arms 38, due to the engagement of the arm 9 with the cross bar 40; the cam 39, therefore, swings into the position shown in Fig. 2, and thereby depresses the slug and the latches 30 upon which it rests. These latches. together with the locking levers. carrying the same, are thereby released and return to normal position, and the slug is at the same time released the minute the latches are retracted, the released position of the slugbeing shown in Fig. 2. The slug thus released will then drop downwardly through the chute 5, and is turned before it reaches the slug box 21, due to the 't'orn'iation of the lower end of the chute 5, that is, the slug when inserted in the chute l presents the grooves 56 downwardly, but by reversing the position of the slug when it has passed or dropped through the chute 5, it can be seen that the slugs will assume a position in the slug box where the grooves face upwardly. The locking levers in other words were released and return to normal position. due to the fact that the blank portion 55 of the slug raised the latches, which had been moved forward to locking position. and also due to the fact that the grooves 56 alined with the latches that were standing in normal position. If any other slug had been inserted, it would be impossible to open the lock. when the operation is considered.

Vi e will now assume that the slug shown in Fig. 7 was inserted in place of the correet slug shown in Fig. 8. This slug has only one groove, and when inserted will assume the position shown in Fig. 1. Forward movement of the operating levers will. in this instance, be limited to an approximate half-w y position, that is, it will. be impossible to rock the operating levers 9 and 10 beyond a vertical position, or a position intermediate the two positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This is due to the fact that two of the latches 30 are raised and thrown forwardly, while two of the latches are re- This will be more clearly understoml llO tracted and stand in horizontal or i'iorinal position. The single groove Formed in the slug will register with one of the latches. which ren'iaiii in normal po... on, but as; the second groove. is not formed in said slug to register with the second latch, it can be seen that the bla l; or forward end of the slug will strike the point of the second lat-c i, and thus prevent the carriage and the operatin levers from being moved further. The res r end of the slug will, at the same time, drop down vardly behind the shoulder 17, and thereby prevent the operating levers From being returned to normal position, or from being moved in the opposite direction, this being due to the fact that the shouhler l7 forms a lock in one direction, while the second latch forms a stop in the opposite direc tion. The same locking operatii'iu would take effect whether a one-groove sli three-groove slug, or a blank slug was sorted, or whether any other slug having any formation whatsoever es inserted; it instance, if a three-groove slug was insert d such as shown in Fig. 9, then it can readily be seen that the first two grooves would register with the first two latches which remain in normal position, and that the third groom would register with the first oi? tl c lat'li a, which stand in raised or locked position. Forward movement of the slug in this in stance would only cause one oi? the ra' ed latches to be depressed, as the second late-l is in register with the third groove, and would, therefore, not be depressed. The latch, which is not depressed, would, in that instance serve as a stop to prevent further movement of the slug, and the operating levers, as the rod 12 supporting the carriage would strike the forward end of he latch which was not depressed, thus locking t operating levers, the carriage, and the she; against further n'ioveme-nt, or against returi movement, as the rear end of the slug wi l also, in this instance, drop behind the shoulder 17.

In the foregoing description, it can be seen that no slug but the last one ejected can possibly open the lock, due to the fact that the formation of the slug or the mini ber of grooves provided sets the combination so that it can only be opened by the slug which did set the combination.

The sliding bolt 42, which is projected or retracted by the movement of the operas; ing levers may, of course, move into or out of register with the keeper if the device as a whole is employed as a lock. This feature of the invention is not illustrated in the present instance, as the lock is employed for the purpose of opening or closing a circuit through an ignition switchas shown in 44, and also for displaying a signal or sounding an alarm when the mechanism is tampered with or operated by an unauthorincense ized person. The ignition switch is closed when the loci; is unlocked, due to the fact that the bolt 412 is moved in the direction of arrow (,1. A. lug 60 on the bolt will, during this movement, engage one of the oil the switcl- 4A, and thus force the n together and close a circuit through tl 5 isnition circuit. The circuit through the 1gnition switch is thus established when the lock is unlocked, and it is opened when the lock is locked, due to the fact that toe bolt is projected in the opposite direction or away from the switch cents. a lwhen the loci is locked. Wron manipulation the lock or the insert-ion or a wrong slug causes the alarm or hell. do to be sounded, that is, locking of a wrong slug within the mechanism when it drops behind the shoulder 17 takes place when a CQlltEtC L member (*Sl. on the bolt moves into register with a contact member 62. A circuit through the bell is thus established, and an audible alarm will be given until the owner arrives, and he can only break the circuit by removing the outside casing 2. After removing this casing it is possible for him to insert a fiat piece of metal. through the top of the tl rzune and depress the latches 30, which remain in raised position. Tie locking levers are thus released and return to normal position, and it is then possible for the owner to rock the operating levers to the tliiward position, and to release or pass the slug through. The circuit in this manner broken through the alarm mechanism, and the casing 2 may then be replaced.

lVhile four locking levers are employed. in the present instance, I wish it understood that a greater or less number may be em ployed if desired, a greater number of locking levers being preferable in some instances, as it permits a much larger combination or number of slugs to be employed. I similarly wish it understood that the materials and finish of the several parts of which the lock is constructed may be such as the experience and judgment oi the manufacturer may dictate.

I also wish it understood that various changes in form, proportions and mints details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims, and that I do not wish to limit mysel'i to the specific design and construction here shown.

It should be noted that the blank side of each slug is provided. with one groove as shown at 90. This is provided for the purpose of insuring a correct insertion of the slug in the upper chute and this is ac complished by placing a pin 9i in the chute which will stop a slug from being passed through except when the pin registers with the groove in the blank side.

Having thus described my invention, what i I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a combination lock a slug box adapted to receive a plurality of slugs, each having a different formation, means for dischar ing one of said slugs when the lock is locked, means for unlocking the lock by means of the slug discharged, and means ac tuated by each slug for automatically changing the combination.

In a combination lock a slug box adapted to receive a plurality oi slugs, each having a different tormation. means for discharging one of said slugs when the lock is locked. means tor unlocking the lock by means or the slug discharged, means tor maintaining the device locked until introduction of the last slug discharged, and means to automatically change the combina tion by and upon discharge of each slug.

3. A slug operated combination lock comprising a casing, a slug box within said casing adapted to receive a plurality of stacked slugs, said slugs having different formations. means for discharging the lowermost of said slugs when locking the lock, means for unlocking the lock by means of the slug discharged, and means actuated by each successive slug discharged for changing the combination.

i. A slug operated combination lock com prising a casing, a slug box within said casing adapted to receive a plurality of stacked slugs, said slugs having different 'lormations, means for discharging the lowermost of said slugs when lockingthe lock, means actuated by said slug and by each successive slug when discharged for changing the combination of the lock, and means for maintainin the device locked until introduction thereinto of the last slug discharged.

5. In a slug operated combination lock, a slug receiver for holding a stack of slugs the latter of different formations, means for discharging the lowermost slug upon locking the lock, means actuated by said slug and upon discharge of each successive slug tor changingthe combination of the lock, means maintaining the lock locked until introduction thereinto of the last slug discharged, a signal, and means for effecting a prolonged actuation of the signal upon introduction into the device of a wrong slug.

6. A combination lock adapted to be unlocked by the insertion of a grooved slug, a container within the lock for the reception of said slug and a plurality of other slugs each having different formations, means in the lock for discharging a slug when it is locked, and means actuated by said slug when discharged for changing the combination of the lock so that the lock when locked can only be opened by the last slug discharged.

7. A slug operated lock comprising a casing having a receiving chute tor the slug and a dischargingchute tor the same, a container within the casing adapted to serve as a receptacle for a plurality of slugs, each having a ditt'erent formation, an operating lever pivotally mounted in the casing, a carriage adapted to receive a slug when inserted. said carriage being pivotally connected to the upper end of the operating lever, an ejecting slide mounted below the slugcontainer adapted to eject the lowermost slug in the container when the lock is locked, said ejecting slide being moved by the operating lever, a combination locking mechanism within the casing adapted to he set by the slug disclmrged, and means for maintaining the device locked until the last slug discharged inserted in the receiving chute.

8. A slug operated lock comprising a casing having a receiving chute for the slug and a discharging chute for the same, a container within the casing adapted to serve as a receptacle for a plurality of slugs, each having a different formation, an operating lever pivotally mounted in the casing, a carriage adapted to receive a slug when inserted, said carriage being pivotally connected to the upper end oi the operating lever, an ejecting slide mounted below the slug container adapted to eject the lowermost slug in the container when the lock is locked, said ejecting slide being moved by the operating lever, a plurality of locking levers pivotally mounted within the casing one or more of which are adapted to be rocked when a slug is ejected, and means actuated by said locking levers for maintaining the device loclred until the last slug ejected is inserted.

9. A slug operated lock comprising a casing having a receiving chute for the slug and a discharging chute for the same, a. container within the casing adapted to serve as a receptacle for a plu 'ality of slugs, each having a different formation, an operating lever pivotally mounted in the casing, a carriage adapted to receive a slug when in serted, said carriage being pivotally connected to the upper end of the operating lever, an ejecting slide mounted below the slug container adapted to eject the lowermost slug in the container when the lock is locked, said ejecting slide being moved by the operating lever, a plurality of locking levers pivotally mounted within the casing one or more ct which are adapted to be rocked when a slug is ejected, a latch engageable with the slug on the carriage upon actuation of the latter and being pivotally mounted on the upper end of each locking lever, and a locking bar, with which said latches are engageable when the locking levers are rocked.

10. A slug operated lock comprising a casing having a receiving chute for the slug and a discharging chute tor the same, a container Within the casing adapted to serve as a receptacle for a pin alit oi slugs, each having a different torina-tion, an operating lever pivotally mounted in the casing, a carriage adapted to receive a slug when inserted, said carriage being pivotally con nected to the upper end of the operating lever, an ejecting slide niounted below the slug container adapted to eject the lower most slug in the container when the lock locked, said ejecting slide being nioi 'ed by the operating lever, a plu ality ot locking levers pivotally mounted within the casing one or more oi which are adapted to be rocked when a slug is ejected, a latch engageable with the slug on the c rriage upon a *xtuation ot' the latter and being pivotally mounted on the r pper end of each locking lever, and a locking bar, with which said latches are engageable when the locking levers are rocked, said locking bar maintaining said latches against movement until the proper slug is inserted.

11. In a slug operated combination lock, a series of slugs of varying char: cters, means for discharging one of ti e slugs when the lock is locked, nieans actuated by each slug ior automatically changing the comsignal, and n'ieans for etle-etii'ig a prolong cc a fillldillOIl oi the signal upon introduction into the device ot a Wrong slug.

12. A slug operated loci; comprising a casing, a slug receiving chute and a slug hischarging chute on the using, a slug box Within the casing adapted to as a receptacle "tor a plurality ot sta, l slugs, said slugs each having different to rations, and also adapted to unlock the dev ice when inserted, an operating lever adapted to lock or unlock the lock, means actuated by said lever for ejecting the lowermost slug in the box when the lock is locked, a 'ari able in unison with the lever adapted to receive a inserted through the receiving chute, a bolt movable in unison with the operating lever, means actuated by each slug torautoinatis-illv changing the combiiu on upon its dischz'irgc, and means opcral'iie in conjunction with the carriage for locking the operating lever, the carriage and the bolt against coinplete operation until the prope slug is inserted.

13. A slug operated lock comprising a casing, a slug receiving chute and a slug discharging chute on the casing, a slug box within the casing adapted to serve as a receptacle for a plurality of stacked slugs, said slugs each having di'lfercnt formations, and also adapted to unlock the device When inserted, an operating lever adapted to lock or unlock the lock, means actuated by said lev r tor ejecting the lowermost slug in the box when the lock is locked, a carriage inovlie in unison with the operating lever 2- la ate-d to receive a slug when inserted through the receiving chute, a be t movable in unison with the ope ating lever, means actuated by each slug tor automatically anging the combination upon its (lis- "ge, inc-ans operable in conjunction with the carriage tor locking the operating lever, the carriage and the bol'- against complete operation until the proper slug is inserted, and means tor establishing a circuit through an alarm niechanisni when a Wrong slug is inserted.

A slug operated lock co casing, a slu receiving chute ant cha'ging chute on the caning, slug box within the cas'r-ig adapteu to serve as a replurality oi stacked slugs, having (lit 'ent tlorinations,

uprising a a slug disslugs each i also adapte to unlock the device when sorted, an pcratiug lever adapted to lock or unlock the lock, means astuated by said lever tor ejecting the lower-meet slug in the box when the lock is locked, a arriage mov able in unison with the operating lever :ulapted to receive a slug when inserted through the receiving chute, a bolt movable in unison with the operating lever, means actuated by each tor autrnnaticall ehai'ig ng the (roinbi 1a ion uion its dis- (marge, means operable in conjunction with the carriage tor locking the operating lever, the carriage and the bolt against complete eration until the proper slug is inserted, ans tor establishing a circuit through an aria mechanism when a nicer g slug is inserted, an el ctric circuit, and means controlled bv the movementor the bolt to:

' or closing said circuit stiniony whereof l have hereunto set i and in the presence oi two subscribing 'Wl hLlAM llii itltlt llll llilltSillAN. 

